Jeanne Katherine Miller Cissna, a most beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on Sunday, August 19, 2018, at the age of 95, with family around her bedside at Renaissance in McKinleyville. She was born in Columbus, Ohio, to Dorothy (Wright) Miller and Sidney Miller on December 23, 1922. They moved to Portland, Oregon, in 1926, then to Albany, Oregon, a few years later, where she lived until college.

Jeanne graduated from Oregon State University in Corvallis, receiving a BA in Home Economics. She met and then later married Norman Cissna in December of 1946. They lived in San Francisco for a few years as he attended law school, before settling in Eureka where they lived out their lives. They had four children together.

Her children fondly remember her devotion to them and her unconditional love. She often stepped a little beyond nurturing her own four children to serve in roles such as Camp Fire leader, Room Mother, Scouting Den Mother, and more. She, along with her husband, also taught their children an appreciation for and love of nature by taking them on frequent picnics and camping, horse packing and backpacking trips.

As the children became older, she began to take various adult education classes, one of them turning into a passion – quilting. While she made many full-size and baby quilts, what she was best known for was her quilted wall hangings, which were displayed in galleries, quilt shows and fairs, often winning ribbons. In 2005, she was honored as the Featured Quilter in the biennial Heart of the Redwoods Quilt show. She carefully designed and created well over 200 beautiful pieces of quilt art.

Jeanne loved traveling with her husband, often enjoying trips in their 5th-wheeler. She volunteered with Hospice of Humboldt, the Humboldt Library, and the Blood Bank.

She was pre-deceased by her husband of 42 years, Norman Clark Cissna, and her brother, Ross Miller. She is survived by son Ken Cissna of Cherry Log, Georgia, son Tim Cissna (and Sharon) of Arcata, daughter Kathy Dias of Redding, and daughter Eileen Stocum (and Robin) of Trinity County. Jeanne also enjoyed her grandchildren: Carolyn Cissna, Jennifer Cissna, Kevin (and Kat) Cissna, Megan Dias, Shelby Dias, and Tristan Dias, as well as her great-granddaughter Cecilia Dias.

The family wishes to thank Timber Ridge/Renaissance for their many years of love and outstanding care they gave Jeanne. They’d also like to thank Hospice of Humboldt for their support and care of Jeanne.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be sent to Hospice of Humboldt at 3327 Timber Fall Ct, Eureka, CA 95503, the Northern California Community Blood Bank at 2524 Harrison Ave, Eureka, CA 95501, or the Humboldt Area Foundation at 363 Indianola Rd, Bayside, CA 95524.

The family is planning a memorial to be held on Saturday, September 22nd , the time and location yet to be determined. That information will be published at a later date.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Jeanne Cissna’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.